1985–86 Middlesbrough F.C. season

This period in the history of Middlesbrough is considered its most traumatic. The club was in financial difficulties which eventually led to liquidation in 1986 and the near loss of professional football on Teesside. At the end of 1985–86 season Boro were relegated to the old Third Division. By then Willie Maddren was no longer manager. He was sacked with 13 games remaining, replaced by his assistant Bruce Rioch. Maddren is remembered for his astute signings. Bernie Slaven was signed from part-time football in Scotland to become a Middlesbrough legend. Maddren also brought youth team players through the ranks, including Colin Cooper and Stuart Ripley.

August 1985 – Don O'Riordan's performances for Carlisle United earned himself a £55,000 move to Middlesbrough in August 1985. Despite missing only one game the following season, O'Riordan was released amidst Middlesbrough's financial crisis.

30 August 1985 – Newcastle United midfielder Pat Heard moves to Middlesbrough on a month's loan with a view to a permanent deal.[1]

October 1985 – In a trial game against Bradford City, Bernie Slaven scored and impressed the Middlesbrough management enough to snap him up. Bradford boss Terry Yorath also wanted him to sign on the dotted line, but the then Albion Rovers owner negotiated a deal with Middlesbrough which satisfied all parties and manager Willie Maddren picked Slaven up for a bargain price of £25,000.[2]

22 October 1985 – Home team Sunderland beat ten man Middlesbrough 1-0 after Archie Stephens was sent off in the 33rd minute.[3]

November 1985 - Middlesbrough beat Shrewsbury Town 3-1, in front of a home gate of 4,061, with goals from Gary Rowell, Pat Heard and Tony McAndrew.[4]

2 January 1986 – Second Division strugglers Middlesbrough are reported to be £1 million in debt.

21 May 1986 – Middlesbrough, recently relegated to the Third Division for the second time in their history, are faced with the threat of losing their Football League status and going out of business after going into liquidation.

Senior squad

The following are all the players who were involved the Middlesbrough F.C. first team at some point during the 1985-86 season.[5] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
England GK Stephen Pears
England GK Peter Flear
England DF Colin Cooper
Scotland DF Tony McAndrew
Republic of Ireland DF Alan Kernaghan
England DF Gary Pallister
England DF Pat Heard
Republic of Ireland DF Don O'Riordan
England MF Mitch Cook
England MF Irving Nattrass
England MF Gary Gill
Scotland MF Gary Hamilton
England FW David Currie
England FW Peter Duffield
No. Position Player
England DF Brian Laws
England DF Tony Mowbray
England DF Steve Corden
England MF Stuart Ripley
England MF Gary Rowell
England MF Peter Beagrie
Republic of Ireland FW Bernie Slaven
England FW Archie Stephens
England FW Lee Turnbull

Second Division

Pos Team Pl W D L F A GD Pts
1Norwich City4225988437+4784
2Charlton Athletic42221197845+3377
3Wimbledon42211385837+2176
4Portsmouth42227136941+2873
5Crystal Palace42199145752+566
6Hull City421713126555+1064
7Sheffield United421711146463+162
8Oldham Athletic42179166261+160
9Millwall42178176465−159
10Stoke City421415134850−257
11Brighton & Hove Albion42168186464+056
12Barnsley421414144750−356
13Bradford City42166205163−1254
14Leeds United42158195672−1653
15Grimsby Town421410185862−452
16Huddersfield Town421410185167−1652
17Shrewsbury Town42149195264−1251
18Sunderland421311184761−1450
19Blackburn Rovers421213175362−949
20Carlisle United42137224771−2446
21Middlesbrough42129214453−945
22Fulham42106264569−2436
Key
Promoted to Division One
Qualified for the promotion/relegation playoffs
Relegated to Division Three

P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

See also

References

  1. The Guardian, SOCCER IN BRIEF, 30 August 1985
  2. "BERNIE SLAVEN 1985–93". mfc.premiumtv.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
  3. Barclay, Patrick, Stephens off after Gates opens door, The Guardian 23 October 1985
  4. The Yorkshire Post, 'Action Replay - 30 years ago today 27 November 2015
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, January 22, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.